Chapter 4

The Plan

"Good catch, Scar, but next time try to get more than just two," Bear said quickly. "Go and share with your siblings," the large tom added, then turned and continued talking to Tails.

Scar nodded, his tail twitching with pride. His father hardly ever gave out compliments, so even though it was a small one, it still meant something to the young brown tom.

Scar picked up the rat and bird in his jaws then trotted towards where Patch and Shell were sitting. He dodged Claw and Shadow, who happened to be wrestling, and padded up to his brother and sister. The tom set down his prey but pulled the rat to the side, saving it for himself. He roughly nosed the bird towards them.

"Here, you two can share this one," he meowed.

Scar settled down, tore a large chunk of the rat off, and began to eat.

"Why do we have to share while you get a whole piece to yourself?" Shell growled.

Scar's tail twitched with amusement as he saw his sister's eyes narrow in annoyance. He swallowed and replied, "Isn't it obvious? I'm the one who caught it so I deserve a whole piece. Besides, Bear complimented me on my hunting skills."

The brown tom watched as Shell's eyes widened slightly. "H-He did?" she mumbled, her voice suddenly going quiet.

"Yup," Scar said with a sneer on his face.

He took another bite of the rat, though out of the corner of his eye he looked at Patch. His brother seemed unmoved by his little announcement. The black and white tom was just sitting there, chewing on a bit of bird. This annoyed Scar. Whenever he did something everyone else was proud of, Patch never seemed to notice. Sure, Patch was good at fighting and hunting, probably even a bit better then Scar, but shouldn't he still compliment him? They were brothers after all. Could he possibly be jealous that Patch was better than him? No. But after thinking about it for a moment, ever since the others started noticing how talented Patch was, that was when Scar had started working harder than ever to prove that he was just as good.

Also, for some strange reason, Patch was, and always has been, closer to Shell than to any other cat. Could it be that Scar was also actually jealous that Shell had a better relationship with their brother? No, never. Why should he be jealous of his siblings, other than the reasons he had just thought of that is. Pushing the thoughts out of his mind, he went back to eating his meal.

Scar woke to a sharp nudge in the side. He grunted sleepily and blinked open his eyes, wondering who it was that had disturbed him. He made out a tortoiseshell pelt. Shell.

Before he could say anything Shell muttered, "Father has called a meeting."

The rogue lazily got to his paws and stretched, also letting out a large yawn. He then realized that it was dark out and guessed that he must have dozed off after his meal. The moon was only about half way full but its light still glowed down on the alleyway. Scar padded toward the center of the alleyway where all the other rogues were already settled. He seated himself near the back and looked to the front of the group where his father stood.

"Most of us have lived our lives here, surrounded by upwalkers, with little food and little shelter," Bear began, his deep voice ringing out and echoing off the walls of the upwalker nests. "Sure, this small alleyway is a decent place to live, but it is not quite suitable. Look at us! We are all half starved for little prey runs through here. We need a home that has plenty of food for all of us!" All the cats murmured their agreement.

"Many of you have heard about the Clans of cats that live in the forest and surrounding areas. You may or may not know that they chase out any cat that is not of their Clan, including us rogues. Is this fair? Should we not be able to roam the forest freely? To them we are lesser beings! Are we not all cats? These Clans should be taught a lesson! We should be allowed to wander wherever we please! Not stay in this pathetic excuse of a home! Why should we suffer and starve while they stuff their faces with the tons of prey that live in the forest?" Scar listened intently to his father's powerful words with his ears pricked up and his tail twitching.

"But do not worry for I have a plan. If successful, a plan that will allow us to be able to roam the land freely without worrying about these Clans." Bear spat the last word out as if it had left a bad taste on his tongue.

"The first stage of this plan shall involve two of my own kin." The large calico beckoned Shell and Patch to come forward. Scar couldn't help letting his mouth fall open slightly as his siblings made their way towards Bear. What could their father possibly want them to do?

Bear continued, "Shell and Patch, your role in this plan is crucial. You are to join one of the Clans. Specifically the one that lives in the forest, for it is closer to here and we shall be able to communicate better."

Scar watched Shell's expression turn from curiosity to excitement. Patch remained expressionless and only nodded his head curtly in understanding.

Bear turned back to the group of rogues. "These two shall be our eyes and ears in the Clan. They will report back to us whenever they can and tell us all we need to know about these Clans." Yowls of agreement rose from the rogues.

"Alright then, it is settled. Patch and Shell will go into the forest first thing in the morning. Now I suggest we all get some rest," Bear finished with a swish of his tail.

The rogues began to disperse until Bear and Scar were the only ones left in the center of the alleyway. Scar hesitantly made his way over to Bear. "Father, can I ask you something?" he questioned, not looking into his father's eyes.

Bear looked down at his son and nodded.

"I was just wondering…why was I not chosen to go with Shell and Patch?" Scar finally met Bear's golden gaze. He was a bit surprised to find a touch of softness in them.

"Because Scar, I need you here to help my plan carry on." The large tom rested his tail tip on Scar's shoulder for a moment. "Now get some sleep."

The young rogue dipped his head and watched as his father padded over to Tails. Scar was glad to know that his father thought he was important, or at least that's what he thought he had said. But even that could not stop the jealously for his siblings from gnawing away at him.